Scouting report: Patriots

The Pats have lots of links to both San Diego and the Chargers. Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison played for the Chargers for nine years, winning the team's defensive player of the year award four times, and wide receiver Wes Welker briefly was a kick returner with the Chargers in 2004. Though he's been on the physically unable to perform list, Patriots guard Stephen Neal was a multisport star at San Diego High, and Pats rookie quarterback Kevin O'Connell was a four-year starter at San Diego State.

INJURY REPORT

The most visibly absent player is Brady, and he isn't coming back this season. Each beset with hamstring problems, linebacker Eric Alexander and cornerback Lewis Sanders are listed as doubtful, as is wide receiver Kelley Washington with a bum ankle. Running back LaMont Jordan, who sustained a leg injury in last week's game at San Francisco and missed the second half, is listed as day-to-day.

SERIES HISTORY

They don't meet every year anymore – just seems like it – but they've been playing important games since 1963. That was the year the Chargers whomped the then-Boston Patriots 51-10 for the American Football League championship. The Patriots have retaken the edge, to say the least, with wins in 11 of the last 13 matchups. New England beat the Chargers for the AFC title last Jaunary after eliminating San Diego from the playoffs the previous postseason. The Chargers did win the last regular-season meeting at Qualcomm, 21-14, on Sept. 29, 2002. Overall, the Pats are 18-13-2 against the Chargers.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rather than return to New England after their victory Sunday at San Francisco, the Patriots stayed on the West Coast to prepare for this game, working out at San Jose State.

DID YOU HEAR?

“I hate that song. The first time I heard that song, I was with the Giants and we played out there (in 1980). They had (Wes) Chandler, they had (Chuck) Muncie, they had (Kellen) Winslow, (John) Jefferson, (Dan) Fouts – and it was a track meet. They didn't get through playing that song before they scored again and started playing it again. 'San Diego SuperChargers.' That's still ringing in my head.” – Pats head coach Bill Belichick on the Chargers' post-touchdown disco ditty. NUMBERS

NUMBERS

12: Consecutive road games won by the Patriots.

11: Consecutive games won by the Patriots in October.

7: Consecutive seasons, an NFL high, in which the Patriots have won at least nine games.

40.5: The percentage of times that New England has forced its opponent into three-and-outs on offense.